Generators for Electronics

Inverter generators provide the most reliable power

As noted by Kirk A. Kleinschmidt in QST, a magazine about amateur radio, inverter generators are the best choice "if you want the highest margin of safety when powering expensive computers, ham radios, TVs and other sensitive electronics." Inverter generators use a motor to produce alternating current (AC) power, then use an inverter module to convert the AC to smooth direct current (DC), and then invert the DC back to well-regulated 120-volt AC. They are much less likely to fry electronic equipment than basic generators are, though basic, noninverter generators are fine for things like lights, drills and motors.

Portable generators that use inverter technology are usually identified with an "i" as part of the model nomenclature. These generators tend to be expensive for the amount of power they provide -- typically between 750 and 3,000 watts -- but if you need to power a TV or computer, inverter generators are your safest bet.

Honda, Yamaha inverter generators highly rated, but expensive

Honda and Yamaha portable inverter generators get excellent reviews from experts and owners, but they are expensive. There are benefits, however, to paying more for one of these models. For one, they're quieter than less expensive portable inverter generators. It's also possible to daisy chain two Honda or Yamaha generators for higher total wattage, a feature that less expensive models don't offer. In doing so, you spend more than you would on a single big generator but get better fuel economy in the long run because you can use one or both generators depending on the situation. Daisy chaining also breaks a high-wattage setup into separate, smaller units that are easier to move and store. Honda and Yamaha generators also feature smart throttles or economy modes.

Reviews say the 29-pound, 900-watt Honda EU1000i (*Est. $950) is the easiest to carry. Tests at Camping Life magazine find the Yamaha EF1000iS (*Est. $850) , also rated at 900 watts, slightly more fuel efficient, with an hour longer runtime per tank -- 6.6 hours versus 5.6 for the Honda. The next size up is the 1,600-watt Honda EU2000i (*Est. $1150) . Camping Life editors say this portable generator is still easy enough to haul around, despite its 46-pound weight. The equivalent Yamaha is the 44-pound, 1,600-watt Yamaha EF2000iS (*Est. $1,000) , which edges the Honda EU2000i and the Generac iX2000 in a Camping Life comparison test. The Yamaha EF2400iSHC (*Est. $1350) is rated at 2,000 watts and weighs 70 pounds. The Honda EU2000i, the Yamaha EF2000iS and the Yamaha EF2400iSHC are the best reviewed of all the smaller Honda and Yamaha inverter generators, but they cost twice as much as budget-priced inverter generators of a comparable size.

Honda and Yamaha inverter generators at the next wattage level have electric starters and built-in wheels. Comparison tests give the 2,800-watt Honda EU3000iS (*Est. $2,330) a slight edge in power quality over the 2,800-watt Yamaha EF3000iSEB (*Est. $2,225) , but the Yamaha has Boost Control, which lets it surge to 3,500 watts for up to 10 seconds, which is especially useful for starting a small air conditioner.  A less expensive model, the Yamaha EF3000iSEJ (*Est. $1,980) , has an electric starter but omits Boost Control. All Yamaha portable inverter generators come with three-year warranties, as do the Honda EU2000i and EU3000iS. The smaller and cheaper Honda EU1000i has a two-year warranty. All Yamaha inverter generators are compliant with California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements, and CARB-compliant variants of the Honda models discussed here are also available.

Less expensive inverter generators may be worth considering

If you don't want to spend upward of $900, experts say some budget-priced inverter generators deserve a look. Inverter generators in this price range are reviewed less frequently than the Honda and Yamaha models, but Generac's iX-series portable inverter generators receive a fair amount of attention. This includes the 800-watt Generac iX800 (*Est. $320) , the 1,600-watt Generac iX1600 (*Est. $470) , and the 2,000-watt Generac iX2000 (*Est. $570) . A product expert at retailer ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com recommends the iX800 as one of the best compact camping generators the site sells, especially given its price, and a handful of owners post positive reviews as well. Reviewers point out that it weighs only 27 pounds, so is easy to carry around. However, none of Generac's iX inverter generators can be daisy chained, and they are not CARB compliant.

The Generac iX2000 (occasionally you'll see it sold as model #5793) has 2,000 running watts and 2,200 surge watts. It has been reviewed more extensively than the iX800, with mixed results. Camping Life compares it with the Honda EU2000i and the Yamaha EF2000iS. The Generac iX2000 is noisier than the other two and uses more gas; it's also heavier. However, the review notes that Generac's price is half that of the others, and concludes that "if you're on a budget…this might be an option to consider."

Owner reviews vary considerably.  Those posting reviews at ElectricGeneratorsDirect.com give the Generac iX2000 high marks, but at Amazon.com owners rate it an average of only 2.5 out of 5 stars. Some complain that the generator never worked at all or that it doesn't run smoothly, while others have nothing but praise for it. There are some nice features like a DC outlet with battery charging cables, a low-oil shutdown and two running modes (high and eco). Generac's inverter generators are backed by two-year warranties, and they carry the Good Housekeeping Seal, meaning that Good Housekeeping will refund your money or replace the generator for two years after its purchase.

Eastern Tools and Equipment (ETQ) also offers less expensive portable inverter generators, including the 1,800-watt ETQ IN1800i (*Est. $500) and the 80-watt ETQ IN800i (*Est. $360) ; both are CARB compliant. We were unable to find expert reviews of these portable generators, however, and too few owners have reviewed them for their reviews to be helpful in assessing the ETQ models' quality. One video review of the IN1800i at TailgatingIdeas.com is useful because it demonstrates the generator in action, giving a sense of its noise level and ease of operation. A more powerful model, the IN2500i (*Est. $650) , is rated at 2,250 running watts. About 15 people posting reviews at Amazon.com give it an average of 3.7 stars, but we found few other reviews. ETQ generators come with a one-year warranty.